A new year, and a new AnCnoc, good news, and always something worth waiting for. As in last year, AnCnoc are releasing a new vintage, limited as it is, a few more bottles have been released this year and will be heading to selected EU & world markets any day now. As we’re used with AnCnocs, this one is also bottled at a nice 46%, NCF, and no evil Caramel to colour it, just as we like. A vatting of both ex-bourbon and ex-Sherry casks. Last year’s vintage was superb, and i had high expectation from this one too. Let’s roll :
AnCnoc 1998 vintage, 46% ABV, 5,100 bottles
Nose: Starts rather sweet. Some sherry influence. Honey liquor , sweet spiced wood, lemony on the edges. Malt and apples Crisp, fresh and classic. No frills, delivers.
Palate: Malty sweet on entry. Woody and buttery. A bit if raisins and apples. This one is rather Creamy and rewarding. Text book mouth on this one.
Finish: Bitter on cocoa malt and wood.
All in all, this is a great whisky, and is quite in par with last year’s vintage 1997. If you are looking for a classic, no finishes, or other gimmicks, just plain old wonderful whisky matured in fine casks, to produce a great outcome, look no further.Natural, classic stuff. This is how it should be done.
Score: 89/100
many thanks to Lukasz for the official sample